Sealinks Golf Club

The links-style Sea Links Golf & Country Club in Phan Thiet has a reputation of being one of the most difficult golf courses in Vietnam and you will need to play well to protect your handicap. The golf course architect has carved a courses out of the rolling sand dunes which are common to this part of the coast of Vietnam. It takes around to reach this course so it’s a full days outing from Ho Chi Minh so maybe better to stay overnight and play the courses twice.

What makes this golf course so difficult are the heavily contoured fairways which rarely give up a flat lie and the elevated greens which makes it tricky to select the correct club when you can’t see the base of the pin. This is also a long course playing 7,700 yards from the black tees and although firm it is easy to get an unlucky bounce and end up in trouble. The prevailing winds are also a big factor and can dramatically affect club selection from one day to the next. The only consolation has you try and survive the many challenges that this course will throw at you are the spectacular views over the ocean from most parts of the course.

The pick of the holes are the par 3, third which has water along the left and two large bunkers protecting the front and back of the green. The forth is a dogleg par 4 with two well-placed fairway bunkers but if you can avoid them the green is wide open. The fifth is a short par 4 which is easily reachable with today’s modern equipment but two giant bunkers guard the green so any attempt needs to be sweetly struck. The sixth is a par 5 with a large lake right in the middle of a split fairway and you have to decide which side to attempt. The right side is much shorter but is very narrow with OB close by and the route to the green is better protected. He left route is longer but if you can avoid the fairway bunker then the green is wide open. The last hole on the front nine requires you to play to the right of the fairway bunkers and then it’s a tough approach to a narrow green surrounded by two bunkers.

The 13th is probably just out of range even for those who can bomb it but if you can keep to the left of the fairway then this is a scoring hole. The 14th which is 220 yards from the back tees is a potential card-wrecker with a huge bunker on the left and another right of the green. The 15ht is a classic risk and reward hole although pretty risky with water in front of the narrow green and a bunker over the back. Great finishing par 5. The hole twists and turns with a line of bunkers all along the left and a water hazard on the right with a final approach to a very narrow green with bunkers both sides.

A very modern clubhouse with spotless locker rooms and helpful staff. Enjoy a beer or a meal at one of the two restaurants which local and international fare with great views over the sea.

Tee Time Bookings at Sea Links Golf & Country Club

There is a large hotel onsite and villas all around he courses so its gets very crowded at weekends and if you have a choice book a tee time at weekends.

The links-style Sea Links Golf & Country Club in Phan Thiet has a reputation of being one of the most difficult golf courses in Vietnam and you will need to play well to protect your handicap. The golf course architect has carved a courses out of the rolling sand dunes which are common to this part of the coast of Vietnam. It takes around to reach this course so it’s a full days outing from Ho Chi Minh so maybe better to stay overnight and play the courses twice.